The project, called “Komp-u-ter-hulp” (a play on words which also means: “comes to help you”), is aimed mainly at poor lone mothers with small children who themselves speak no Dutch, as a result of which the children are at a disadvantage when they start school.

The residents group works together with local schools. Where teachers indicate that no Dutch is spoken in a child’s home the project team offers a free computer. This is installed with all the necessary facilities including Internet access. Also installed is a special language teaching program with which children can start learning Dutch at home. For older computer users the team also install Abiword: an Arabic version of Word for writing letters and emails.

To support the introduction of a PC to a family the project team aims to arrange coaches to give two hours’ computing tuition every week.

The project is aimed mainly at women and young girls since this is where the project group has identified the greatest potential benefits. Helping them make up the gap in their education also helps them gain confidence so that they can function better in Dutch society.

In 2003 the project placed 175 computers. A further 100 computers were placed in 2004. At the time of writing these 275 computers are being used by some 1300 people.

In 2003 the project received a subsidy of EUR 13,000 from The Hague’s city education department. A further EUR 7,000 was granted by the Integration department in 2004.

Komp-u-ter-hulp
Mertens

01/01/2003

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Skills improvement